Cuts that don’t involve much blood but might need stitches
Cuts that don’t involve much blood but might need stitches The amount of blood visible is minimal, but there’s too much at risk to wait. If a cut is deep enough that it could involve tendons or nerves, which are just under the skin and hard to see, head to an ER immediately. Tendon injuries […]
Moderate breathing difficulties
Moderate breathing difficulties If you have any doubt about your ability to breathe on your own or whether a bout of wheezing is normal, it’s best to get yourself checked out at an emergency room. These things can be symptoms of something serious, but they’re also more common than people realize. More than 10 million […]
Sprains and strains
Sprains and strains If you sprain or strain a muscle, ligament, tendon or joint—even if it doesn’t hurt much—you should go to your doctor. If you don’t get treatment for small injuries like these, they can lead to other problems down the road. Signs that a small injury might be developing into something bigger include […]
Persistent eye discomfort
Persistent eye discomfort Severe eye pain can be a sign of anything from dry eye or conjunctivitis (pinkeye) to glaucoma. Dry eye and pinkeye both cause persistent discomfort, and are generally easily treatable. That said, you should seek out medical attention for either condition. Glaucoma symptoms include blurred vision, changes in your peripheral vision, or […]
Flu, cold, sore throat, cough, fever
Flu, cold, sore throat, cough, fever You’re sick, but is it a trip-to-the-ER type of sick? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) urges patients with these kinds of symptoms to visit their primary care physicians. But if you can’t get in right away or your doctor isn’t available, emergency rooms are an option. […]
Six Reasons to Go to the Emergency Room
Six Reasons to Go to the Emergency Room If you are having trouble breathing, have chest pain or are experiencing a lot of swelling in your body, go immediately. Minor swelling, such as in your fingers or toes (which is caused by extra fluid), can be treated with medication at home. If it becomes painful, […]
High fever in infants
High fever in infants In infants, a high fever can be a sign of serious infection, including meningitis. Also look for signs of dehydration and shock in children. Parents often consider taking their child’s temperature rectally (this is only accurate if you are consistent with placement) or underarm but these methods are less reliable than […]
Uncontained bleeding
Uncontained bleeding You may have an internal injury that could get worse if you don’t seek treatment. If your head, face or neck is injured, don’t use a tampon or fingers to stop bleeding — these can push a sharp object further into your body and cause further damage. You may need stitches in your […]
Serious injury to your head, neck, or back/spine
Serious injury to your head, neck, or back/spine If you’ve been in a serious accident and sustained an injury that affects these areas, you should absolutely head straight for an emergency room. Head injuries are delicate and can be extremely dangerous if they aren’t treated immediately, while neck and back injuries need to be attended […]
Coughing up or vomiting blood
Coughing up or vomiting blood Though a common occurrence in many accidental injury scenarios, coughing up or vomiting blood is a telltale sign of internal bleeding that needs medical attention right away. Coughing up blood can occur when you’ve hurt your throat and there’s damage to a small vein; vomiting blood could indicate that there’s […]